Jobs in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Population Council Zambia Job Recruitment – 2015

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The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of regional and country offices.

The Population Council provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which s/he is being considered. The Council has an affirmative action plan and especially encourages applications from qualified women and members of minority groups. The Population Council is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.

JOB TITLE: Project Scientific Manager/Senior Programme Officer

REPORTING TO: Senior Associate and Country Director

LOCATION: Lusaka, Zambia

ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: Two years, depending on funding

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Population Council is seeking an experienced health or social science researcher to provide day-to-day technical oversight for research on orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) and young people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Zambia. This research, conducted under the USAID-funded Project SOAR (Supporting Operational AIDS Research), includes a benchmark assessment and cohort study of care and support services for OVC and young PLHIV through the Zambia Family (ZAMFAM) project, a USAID-funded initiative implemented by relevant partners.

Reporting to the Council’s Zambia Country Director/Principal Investigator (PI), the position will contribute to all aspects of study design, implementation, data management, analysis, reporting, and dissemination. S/he will work closely with the PIs and members of the study team to ensure the study is implemented according to protocol; that data generated are of high quality; progress reports are provided timely and that results are widely disseminated. The incumbent must demonstrate independent judgment, ability to work with vulnerable communities, and possesses strong research management and ethical skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Serve as co-investigator on the ZAMFAM benchmark assessment and cohort study.
  • Provide timely and high quality technical supervision of field research according to the SOAR/ZAMFAM protocol, data collection tools and field manuals.
  • Contribute to protocol and field manuals development and oversee adherence to local and Population Council ethical review boards’ requirements.
  • Provide day-to-day technical oversight for study implementation, including:
    • Developing and ensuring adherence to study operating procedures;
    • Participating in recruiting, training, and supervision of project permanent and temporary research staff and fostering collaboration among field research teams;
    • Ensuring appropriate and high quality study sampling and data collection; overseeing data transfer, data consolidation, generation of data dictionary, data cleaning and archiving;
    • Monitoring progress, conducting site visits, troubleshooting accordingly, and providing regular updates to the PIs.
  • Contribute to data analysis, preparation of study reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
  • Collaborate with study team and partners and facilitate routine, timely communication on study activities.
  • Participate in stakeholder meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences to review progress or disseminate study results.
  • Provide technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of country-level stakeholders for the successful conduct and use of operations research for improved HIV and AIDS policies and programming.
  • Represent Project SOAR and the Population Council to USAID, implementing organizations, and other stakeholders.
  • Contribute to other research conducted in the Population Council’s Zambia Office and collaboration with other Council teams as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Minimum of a Master’s degree in public health or social sciences; doctoral (PhD or MD) degree preferred.
  • Minimum of three years post-degree relevant work experience.
  • Experience in HIV operations research methodologies, including surveys and cohort studies; knowledge of and sensitivity to OVC desirable.
  • Previous experience training and managing research staff for large operations research studies.
  • Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills; proficiency in Access, STATA (preferable), SAS, or SPSS.
  • Ability to work independently and to collaborate with senior colleagues, donors, partner organizations, government, relevant stakeholders and others at all levels.
  • Excellent English language oral and written communication skills; strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
  • Willingness to travel in urban and rural Zambia.
  • Experience with USAID/PEPFAR-funded projects desirable.

 

If interested in the above position, please submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to: [email protected] on or before 4th September.